Muscat- A whopping 97 per cent of the street vendors who got licences in all governorates of the sultanate have expressed their satisfaction over the procedures of issuing licences. This was revealed in a survey conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on street vendors in all governorates of the sultanate.
Most of the licences were issued in Muscat governorate. Since the decision to issue licences was implemented, 65 per cent of the street vendors were engaged in selling mishkak, or the grilled meat, and 24 per cent were selling vegetables, fresh fruits and dates.
Mohammad bin Said al Battashi, an economic researcher at the Directorate General of Planning and Studies in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that the study covered 265 licences of street vendors issued during the period in which the study was conducted. The study was aimed at developing the work of street vendors holding valid licences. It was also an effort to understand their achievements and challenges they face during the procedure of obtaining licences.
Proposals and recommendations were also sought from the vendors so that the licensed economic activities can be improved.
Battashi said that the study revealed that 48 per cent of those who obtained licences have one or two Omani workers with them to assist in their work, particularly in the selling of mishkak.
It was found that sixteen per cent of all licence holders have three to five Omanis working in their business.
The study also revealed that 76 per cent of the street vendors have said that their work became easier after they got licences.
Ninety-five per cent of the street vendors surveyed for the study expressed their satisfaction with the activities included in the licensing system. They also wanted other activities to be included in the licensing system.
Eighty per cent of the licence holders found the terms and conditions of the licensing as suitable.
The study has also showed that 54 per cent of the street vendors’ capital did not exceed RO1,000.
The volume of the street vendors with a capital of RO2,000 was 13 per cent. The street vendors with a capital of more than RO3,000 were 27 per cent.
Of the licensed street vendors, 43 per cent earn less than RO500 per month. Those who earn a monthly income of RO500 to RO1,000 were 28 per cent, while 12 per cent earned more than RO1,000.
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